Hey, this is my very first fanfic, so reviews and ideas are greatly appreciated… Let me know if I should continue:)
Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own the hunger games, ideas came from Suzanne Collins.
Chapter #2
Goodbyes and a new friend.
Friends and family were allowed one hour to say their good byes to a loved one.
I wanted to say good-bye to both Gale and Madge so I didn't spend more than three minutes in each place.
I went to see Gale first; as soon as the Peace Keepers opened the door and ran in straight to him. He caught me in a tight embrace, and I never wanted him to let go. He smelled so familiar. I could still make out the pine woods scent from our hunt this morning and the soap from his bath before the reaping.
Those smells made me feel safe and protected from the cruel world.
He let me cry my eyes out, but then I remembered I didn't have much time and had better say what I had come to say.
"You have to win Gale."
"I know I'll try." "But what about Madge?"
"Protect her for me, at least until you are closer to the end." I tell him.
"I will, you know I will."
He hugged me again and just as a Peace Keeper was unlocking the door to take me away from Gale, I said the thing I had wanted to tell him for as long as I can remember,
"I love you Gale."
He didn't reply, just kissed my cheek. I was ushered out of the room then. I would never see my best friend again, he would die a horrible death, and I would never be able to forget it.
I hurried to see Madge now. I hope there was still time and wasn't a long line. I knew there would be. She was the mayor's daughter, everyone would want to come and say good-bye.
I was shocked when I arrived. The only people standing there were her parents.
They both gave me a sad smile and motioned for me to go in.
"Katniss!" I was engulfed in a bear hug, but then I notice Madge was crying."
"Shh it'll be ok." I said soothingly, even though I didn't believe the words myself I thought they might comfort her.
"Will you sing to me Katniss?" I usual don't sing for people. Come to think of it I hadn't sung a song since my Father died, but I didn't want to let Madge down, so I thought of it as her dying wish.
"Of course, but what should I sing."
"Something hopeful." She sighed, then settled onto one of the comfy couches.
I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, I'll never let you go
When all those shadow almost killed you light
I remember you said, Don't leave me here alone
But all that's dead and a passed tonight
Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be all right
No one can hurt you know
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound
Don't you dare look out your window darling
Everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby
Even when the music's gone, Gone
I repeated the chorus again, then stopped. Madge looked up at me, tears sliding down her smooth flawless cheeks.
"Thank you."
I hugged her again and went out, not able to stay any long because then I would probably break down, and I wanted to stay strong for her.
I passed her parents silently then went to go find Prim and my mother who were waiting on me to go home.
As soon as Prim saw me she ran to give me a hug.
"I was so worried you would volunteer!" she cried.
"I wouldn't leave you." I say, rubbing her back.
"I'm so glad it wasn't you Katniss, but I'm really sorry about your friends, I liked Gale too." This makes me smile.
"Let's go home Prim." I grab her hand and we hurry to catch up with Mother.
Tomorrow morning I would have to forget my grief and go hunting, I couldn't let both of our families starve just because I was upset.
We had enough meat and strawberries for dinner though so I didn't have to rush off.
When we reached our front door I quickly unlocked it and ran ahead of Mother and Prim, ignoring her calls.
I rushed into my room and threw myself onto the bed Prim and I shared, and there I stayed until morning. Sobbing, sobbing for Madge and Gale, for myself and then just got angry at the capitol for taking them away.
I soon fell asleep, exhausted from the events of the day; I didn't even have nightmares.
I awoke a little later than usual the next morning. I had fallen asleep in my reaping dress, so I quickly changed into a pair of old jeans and t-shirt.
I try not to think about everything that happened the day before, otherwise I would probably just break down again and mine and Gale's families had to eat.
It was somewhat cloudy outside which matched my mood perfectly. I just hoped it didn't rain until I had enough meat to last the day.
I came to the weak spot in the fence and was about to slide under when I heard someone calling my name.
I looked up to see a boy running towards me, breathing heavily. What in the world?
When he got closer I realized who it was.
"Peeta?" "What are you doing here, in the Seam, at 6:30 in the morning?"
I let him catch his breath before answering my question.
"I, uh... could I come into the woods with you?" He blurted.
"Why?" I demanded.
"I don't know I guess I just always wanted to see what it was like out there."
It was really hard to resist those big blue eyes.
"I guess so, but only this once." He nodded and grinned.
"And you'd better not scare away all the game, my family needs to eat."
"Sure."
I held the fence up a bit while he crawled under than he held it for me. I started walking quickly to the stump where I keep my bow and arrows with Peeta trying to keep up.
He didn't talk for a while, just watched me shoot squirrels and rabbits. I could tell he was trying his best not to make any noise that would scare away the game.
"Why did you really come here?" "And how did you know at what time I would be out?" I asked suddenly. He turned away from me, I could see he was turning red.
"I've, uh, been watching you, I guess you could say."
"You've been paying attention to me?" I couldn't believe what he was saying.
"Why?" I ask again.
"You don't want to know."
"Yes I do." I insisted.
"BECAUSE I'VE HAD A CRUSH ON YOU SINCE WE WERE 5!" "There, is that what you wanted to hear?"
"You, have a crush on me?" I asked in disbelief.
"Why is that so hard to believe?"
"Because I'm just a poor seam girl, you're a merchant kid."
"Katniss, you're more than that."
"Please, just leave me alone."
"I'm sorry." He turns away, a hurt expression on his face.
"I'm not mad." I tell him. "I just need time to sort my thoughts, I had a rough day yesterday."
"Yeah, I'm really sorry for you."
I give him what I hope was a convincing smile. Then I just get all teared up and drop my head into my hands. What is wrong with me?
I hear Peeta come sit beside me and begin rubbing my back.
That's just the sort of person he is, kind, considerate and caring.
I look up at him.
"Sorry about that."
"No, its totally fine. I know it's hard to lose your two best friends." This gets him another small smile.
What's happening? Gale rarely got me to smile. I barely know this kid, and he's already made me smile.
"I've got to go." I say, hastily getting up.
"Can I walk you home?" he looks hopeful.
"You really don't have to." I don't really want anyone to see us together and jump to conclusions. I already receive quite a bit of teasing at school anyway.
"I want to though." He look at me with those pleading blue eyes that only a hard mean person would think of rejecting.
"I guess it couldn't hurt." He grinned and stood up next to me. "But no hand holding or anything like that." I quickly include. Peeta's smile lowers a bit then perks back up again.
"Thanks."
"No need to thank me, you are the one walking me home." I say.
"Yeah, but I never thought you'd actually talk to me, and now I get to walk you home. Everything is happening so quickly."
"Well don't get your hopes up bread boy, this is as far as its going to get."
We arrived at my front porch and I hurried up to the front door, but before I opened it I called out to Peeta who was already walking away.
"Peeta?"
"Yes?" he gazes at me expectantly.
"Well, I was just wondering if you would like to come over tomorrow and watch the opening ceremonies of the games with me. I'd really like to have a friend there with me."
"Um, sure, I mean I guess I could." There was no hiding the delight that shone on his face.
"You don't have to."
"No, I do."
"Ok then, see you tomorrow."
"Bye Katniss." And with that he turned around and didn't look back.
